Key Takeaways
- The Trump administration is increasing immigration enforcement, deploying more ICE agents for a mass deportation effort.
- Some American travelers are carrying documents like passport cards to prove citizenship due to heightened enforcement.
- U.S. citizens are not legally required to carry proof of citizenship, but some are doing so out of concern.
- A passport card can be used to verify U.S. citizenship and identity, and can be applied for with a first-time fee of $30 for adults.
- It’s essential to understand the difference between a passport card and a REAL ID driver’s license, as a REAL ID does not establish legal status.
Introduction to Increased Immigration Enforcement
The Trump administration is ramping up immigration enforcement across the country, with Vice President JD Vance announcing that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will step up its aggressive enforcement. This effort includes deploying over 10,000 new ICE agents, bringing the total to nearly 22,000 agents and investigators. The goal is to crack down on the 2.5 million people said to be living illegally in the U.S. As a result, some American travelers are taking precautions, carrying documents like passport cards to prove their citizenship.
Reports of Travelers Being Stopped or Arrested
There have been recent reports of travelers being stopped or arrested by immigration agents at U.S. airports. For example, a 19-year-old Babson College student was stopped while flying from Boston to Texas for Thanksgiving, despite having moved to the U.S. when she was 7. Additionally, an employee at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport reported that ICE agents will have a three-week presence at the airport to check the documents of passengers and employees. This has led to safety concerns for some, including U.S. citizens and legal U.S. residents, prompting them to carry immigration documents on their person in case they are stopped while traveling domestically.
Carrying Immigration Documents
St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her, the city’s first Hmong mayor and an immigrant herself, has started carrying her ID and passport card due to concerns about being stopped. While legal U.S. residents need to carry immigration papers on their person and show them if stopped, U.S. citizens are not legally required to provide proof. However, some U.S. citizens are taking precautions and carrying documents like passport cards to prove their citizenship. According to Lynn Damiano Pearson, director of legal strategy at the National Immigration Law Center (NILC), the organization has been hearing of more incidents where even U.S. citizens are being stopped and questioned by agents.
Understanding Passport Cards
A U.S. passport card is a wallet-sized, plastic passport that has no visa pages and has the same validity length as a passport book. It can be used for land and sea crossings to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and some Caribbean countries, and serves as proof of U.S. citizenship and identity. Applying for a passport card has a first-time fee of $30 for adults and $15 for children 16 and younger, and then $30 for renewals. It’s essential to note that a passport card can be used to verify immigration status, but it’s not necessary for U.S. citizens to carry one.
Alternatives to Carrying a Passport Card
While some people may feel the need to carry a passport card, there are alternatives. For example, U.S.-born citizens can carry their birth certificate, which is easier to replace than a passport. Additionally, having an immigration attorney’s contact information on hand and knowing your rights beforehand can be helpful in case of an encounter with immigration agents. It’s also important to understand the difference between a passport card and a REAL ID driver’s license, as a REAL ID does not establish legal status.
Applying for a Passport Card
U.S. citizens who are applying for their first passport, replacing their passports, or renewing their passports may apply for a new passport card at the same time. First-time passport applicants and applicants whose passports were lost, stolen, damaged, expired over 15 years ago, or issued before they turned 16, must provide proof of citizenship when they apply. Acceptable forms of proof include a U.S. birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship, or an undamaged U.S. passport. U.S. citizens who already have a valid passport but want a passport card may apply for one through the renew by mail process, but must submit their most recent passport with the application.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Trump administration’s increased immigration enforcement has led to concerns among American travelers, prompting some to carry documents like passport cards to prove their citizenship. While U.S. citizens are not legally required to carry proof of citizenship, it’s essential to understand the options available, including applying for a passport card or carrying alternative documents like a birth certificate. By being informed and prepared, individuals can navigate the current immigration landscape with confidence.